Seat cushion



May 12, 1942-. L. A. YOUNG 2,233,116

SEAT CUSHION Filed Dec. 4, 1939 4 sheets-sheet 1 IN VEN TOR 16017412/7,' )llflg I ATTO NEKS'.

y L. A. YOUNG 2,283,116

- SEAT CUSHION Filed Dec. 4, 1959 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 11v VENTOR- Afdfidr/W107 May 12, -1942.- L.'A. YOUNG 2,283,116

- SEAT CUSHION Filed Dec." 4, 1939 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 I INVENTOR ATT NEYs.

May 12, 1942. A. YOUNG 2,283,116.,

' SEAT cusruou 7 Filed Dec. 4,1939 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 V I? v i v WW5:

INVENTOR 1 7.41"; fi: )aozg.

NE Y

Patented May 12, 1942 i t 2,283,116

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,283,116 I I a 5 SEAT CUSHION Leonard A.Young, Detroit, Mich. Application December 4, 1939, Serial No. 307,357

\ 5 Claims. (01. 155-179) I t; The present invention relates to a seatcushion Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary section taken and moreparticularly to a resilient seat cushion substantially on the line 55 ofFig. 4; v

of the so-called spring-filled type which is par- Figs. 6 and 7 areviews similar to Fig. 5 but ticularly but not exclusively adapted foruse in showing modified forms of construction of the providing theresilient cushion elements used in insulator pad; i I vehicle seatconstructions. Fig. 8- is an enlarged fragmentary sectionshow- It is aprincipal object of the present invention ing a modified form of springunits incorporated to provide a seat cushion of the spring-filled in thecushion embodying the presentinyentiom type in which a compressiblerubber top pad is I Figs. 9, 10 and 11 are sectional views similarsecured to the resilient spring unit and in which in to Fig, 3 butshowing other modifications of the provision is made for ventilating thetop surface seat cushion construction embodying the present thereof.invention; 3,

Another object of the invention is to provide Fig. 12 is a sectionalview taken substantially a seat cushion of the resilient spring-filledtype on the line |2-l2 of Fig. 11 in the direction of in which acompressible rubber pad is utilized .on the arrows;

the top thereof and provision is made for venti- Figs. 13, 14, 15 and 16are Sectional views lating the pad to'dissipate the heat absorbedsimilar to Fig. 3 but illustrating other modificathereby'and to providea circulating layer of air time of construction of a seatcushion-embodybetween the body of the user and said coming the presentinvention; pressible rubber pad. '10 Fig. 17 is a fragmentaryview,.partially; in sec- A further object of the invention is to providetion, showing a Portion of the bottom he p d a cushion construction ofthe resilient springvShown in j. 1 filled type in which the advantagesof riding Fig. 18 is a fragmentary view, partiallyjn seccomfort,durability and economy of the resilient tion, showing a portion of thebottom of the pad spring-filled cushion are retained and in which shownin Fig. 16; the advantages of the compressible rubber type Figs. 19, 20,21 and 22,are fragmentarybottom of seat cushion are present in'the toppad which p v ws. t Parts broken away a d "P issecured to the resilientspring-base forming a tially in section, of other modified formsofconpart of the seat assembly. I struction of a seat cushion embodyingthe present A still further'object of the invention is to invention; 3provide a seat cushion of the resilient springi 23 s a e g fragmentary Qfilled type which may be readily upholstered and taken Substantially 0nthe line 2323 f ig-' trimmed, which has a long lifeinsgervice, and inthe direction of the arrows;

which possesses economies in manufacture over Fig- 4 is a view sim larto F 23 u ow the constructionof conventional seats designed a furthermodified form. of a seatcushioniemto provide comparable'comfort' to theuser. bodying the present invention; and Y Other objects and advantagesof this inven- Fig. 5 is a fragm nta y s gered section tion will appearin the following description and ta su st ntially On t e e lite. 2

appended claims, reference being had to the acin the direction of thearrows. e I, companying drawings forming a, part of this Beforeexplaining in detail the present invenspecification wherein likereference characters tion it is to be understood that the inventionisdesignate corresponding parts in the several not limited in itsapplication to the details, of views. In the drawings: construction andarrangement of parts illus- Fig. 1 is a view' in perspective of afinished seat trated in the accompany g d awin s, since the cushionshowing one embodiment of the present invention is capable of otherembodiments and invention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged sectional view taken sub- Also it is tobeunderstood that the phraseology stantially on the line 22 of Fig. 1inthe directerminology mp yed herein is for the purtion of the arrows;pose of description and not of limitation, and

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary section taken 0 it is not intended tolimit the inventlon'clainss? substantially on the line 3--3 of Fig. 1 inthe er y d the requirements of the direction of the arrows; Seatcushions embodying the present inven- Fig. 4 is a view in perspective ofan insulator tion may be utilized wherever a resilient cushion padforming a part of one embodiment of the member is desired to provide forthe comfort oi present invention; he userl innite rem y mployed in ofbeing practiced or carried out in various ways.

2 the upholstered seats of vehicles, such for example as motor vehicles,railway-trains, and the like, and may also be used in connection withupholstered furniture, mattresses, and the like.

A resilient cushion construction when so used should be readilycompressible to conform readily to the contours of the body of .the userand at the same time must possess sufiicient resiliency to absorb theshocks, strains and impacts imposed thereon and to cushion or deaden theshock resulting therefrom which would otherwise be transmitted to theuser.

Seat cushions of the resilient spring-filled type have heretofore beenused inlarge numbers and have been very satisfactory in absorbing andcushioning shocks and impacts which otherwise would be transmitted tothe user. been experienced, however, in providing in such units asufiicient compressibility that the unit will readily conform to thebody contours of the Difiiculty has user and will at the same time havesumcient resiliency to withstand the loads and impacts to which they aresubjected.

In an attempt to provide for the ready co I pressibility of the units soas to conform readily to the body contours of the user and also todampen out and absorb minor shocks and impacts, attempts have been madeto form such cushion units of readily compressible materials such assponge rubber, or the like, which while being readily compressible, havea certain degree of resiliency. Such cushion units, while desirable fromthe standpoint of the ready compressibility and ready conformability ofthe unit to the body contours of the user, have prevented adequateventilation of the units and much discomfort to the users has resultedtherefrom. In addition, the units when so constructed do not have asumcient degree of resiliency to providefor adequate cushioning of theloads thereon due particularly to sudden shocks and impacts unless theentire body ofthe material is so formed and a is of such a resilientnature that much of its rubber, while also utflizing the desirablefeatales of a seat cushion constructed of resilient spring units. Thecushion thus is in effect a two-part cushion, the upper part beingformed of a readily compressible material such, for example, as spongerubbenand the lower part being formed'of a plurality of resilient springunits.

extends over the top of the sponge rubber pad ll.

The interior of the cushion is ventilated by air which flows inside thespring-filled base portion of the cushion. The air is discharged throughair cells II and air ducts II which communicate with the top surface ofthe pad II. The now of air currents through the cushion construction isindicated by the arrows shown in Fig. 2. A layer of flexible perforatematerial 40 is preferably secured to the top surface of the spongerubberpad II. I

The sponge rubber pad 30 may be secured to the top of the spring base invarious ways. It is desirable that this be done in such a manner thatthe base portion of the pad I. is reinforced and only the reinforcedportions thereofare secured to the spring unit. In the constructionshown in Fig. 2-, this is accomplishedby the provision of an insulatorpad 4| which, as shown in Figs. 4

and 5, in a preferred embodiment comprises a T strip of fabric 42 suchfor example as burlap, or the like, through which is woven a pluralityof resilient cross wires 48, the ends of which are secured to a framemember 44. Such a construction permits a reach uniting of the pad llwith the top of the spring units H, as for example by the clip whichextends through the body of compressible material forming the pad it andextends over the member 44 and through the fabno 42. When bent into theposition shown in Fig. 3. the clip ll engages the top of a spring unitII and the top border wire 34 of the spring base, and thus securelyanchors the resilient pad to the spring base without impairing thecompressibility of the pad and without affecting the resiliency of thespring base.

In the construction shown inl 'lgs. 2 and 3, the

-wire members ll are designed to run from the wire members 44 may runfrom side to side of the cushion, as shown for example in Fig. 8,wherein the wires are designated by the numeral a.

I Various methods may be used for Joining the wires It with the fabric4! of the insulator pad. One such modification is shown in Fig. 6. In

. this instance the wires 43 are Joined to the fabric The resilientcushion of the present invention as showninFlg. 2,comprisesatoppad8l ofareadily compressible material such 'for example as sponge rubber, whichis secured to a spring base which comprises. a plurality of coil springs3| which are connected together at their bottom for example, as fabric,leathenor the like, is seacuredto the bottom of the spring-filled unitand the scope of the present invention.

42 by a layer of'latex or similar adhesive mate-,

rial ll which extends through the coarse mesh of the cloth I! andcompletely covers the wires 43. A further modified form of insulator padis that shown in Fig. '1 and in which the wires 43 are joined with thefabric 42 by means of tape or similar material 41 which may be securedas by adhesives, riveting, sewing, or the like, to the fabric sheet 42.It is to be understood that the particular construction of the insulatorpad is not per se part of the. present invention and that thereforethese and other modifications of the construction of this member may beused within A modified form of cushion construction embodying thepresent invention is shown in Fig. 8.

-This cushion unit issimilar to'the cushion unit shown in Fig. 2 exceptthat. the resilient sprins units which are here designated by thenumeral Sid are of a different type of construction which is known inthe art asthe "llarshalr type. In

such a construction each of theresilient spring members is enclosed in aseparate fabric pocket.

The tops and bottoms of thespringa are Joined.

in Fig. 9. For other uses itis satisfactory to provide a covering forthe resilient pad 30 which is relatively less thick than the fiber pad50 .ca I

shown in Fig.="9, and inthis instance a layer of loosely woven burlap orsimilar fabric may be provided as' shown in Fig. 10.

In certain hSes of'thecushion embodying the present inventionit'-isdesirable to provide less compressibility and an additionalresiliency in the top surfaceof the p'ad'30. This may be satisfactorilyaccomplished by the construction shown in Figs:-11 and 12 and in whichan insulator pad construction 52 similar in constructionto the insulatorpad 4! previously discussed, is employeda-nd is embedded in the topsurface of the compressible pad 30. Such a construction will provide fora resilient transmission of loads imposed on the top surface of the pad30 to a larger area of the pad 30 than where some nonresilient butflexible material is employed for covering thelp'ad- 30. It is to beunderstood, of course, that by so increasing the resiliency of the pad,some of the advantages of its ready compressibility may be lost. Incertain instances as, for example, in bus seat constructions, or thelike, the-cushion'is subjected to extremely hard use and whilethecomfort of the user is important, some of the comfort is sacrificed fora longer service life of the cushion. In all such uses theconstructionsh-own in Figs. 11 and 12 is recommended.

A modified form of the construction shown in Figs. 11 and 12 is shown inFig. 13. In this ina marginal frame member '60 to which is secured aplurality of cross wires. In the construction shown in Fig. 19, thecross wires 6! extend from the front to'the backbf the cushion and theends are secured to the marginal frame 60. In

. this embodiment as-here shown and as shown in the sectional View ofFig. 23, thewires 6| are embedded in the body of the cushion member 30at points intermediate the aircells'38. In the modified form shownin'section in Fig. 24, the bottom portion'of the cushion is further reinforced by the provision of a covering 62 formed of fabric or. similarmaterials.

In the modified form shown in Fig. 20, the pad 30 is reinforced by .thecross wires 63 which extend lengthwise of the cushion and the crosswires 64 which extend crosswise of the cushion stance the compressiblepad 30 is covered with a fabric covering 53 and a reinforcing insulatorpad 54 is molded'into the body of the pad 30 in such a manner thatadditional rigidity is imparted to the pad but a surface layer of theunreinand which cross the wires '63 substantially at right angles. Theends of the wires 63 and 68 in this instance are secured to a marginalframe Ill formed of a coiled spring member united at its ends.

As shown in Fig. 25, the entire reinforcing unit is embedded in the bodyof the material forming the cushion 30. As is apparent from aninspection of Fig. 20, it will be seen that the wires 63and 64 are soplaced relative to the air cells 38 that the air cells are unobstructedby the said Wires and the wires are disposed entirely in the materialbetween adjacent cells. In the modified construction shown in Fig. 21,the reinforcing wires are similar in placement and operation to-thewires Bl shown in Fig. 19, but in this instance the cross wires 68areserpentine in form and extend around the air cells 33 provided in thepad 30.

The modified form of construction shown in Fig. 22 is similar to thatshown in Fig. 20 except that the cross wires 6! and 68 extend diagonallyof the cushion construction. The cross wires El and 68 are secured to aframe I! formed of a coiled spring member united at its ends. The

use of the coil spring frame members and H eliminates any tendency ofthe cushion to bind a as would be likely to be the case if the framemembers Ill and H were formed of a less yielding I material. As isapparent from a consideration of the construction of Figs. 20, 22 and25, the

, cross wires tend to stiffen the frame construction forced compressiblematerial is disposed above the pad 54. This construction is desirable inproviding a reinforced pad construction which still preserves the readycompressibility of a portion of the material forming the pad 30. Asimilar pad may be provided as shown in Fig. 14 and in which theinsulator strip 54 of Fig. 13 is eliminated and a reinforcing strip offabric 55, such as loosely woven burlap, is substituted therefor.

In the modifiedforms of cushions embodyin the present invention shown inFigs. to 18, inclusive, there is shown the compressible pad construction30 which is provided-in Figs. 15 and 1'7 with a body layer of fabric 58such, for example, as loosely woven burlap, or .the like, and the wirereinforced insulator pad of the previously discussed constructions iseliminated. In certain uses as, for example, in furniture construction,Or the like, such a fabric strip has been found to possess sufiicientstrength to be satisfactory for the purpose. In Figs. 16 and 18 thebottom of the resilient pad 30 is secured to a coarse mesh screen 51formed of resilient wires.

In the construction shown in Figs. l9-to 25,

and if a relatively unyielding wire member is used as the marginal rimor frame, the entire base is rendered substantially rigid. This iseliminated by the use of the readily yielding coiled spring marginalframes 10 and H here shown.

From the foregoing it will be observed that I have disclosed herein alarge number of different types of compressible pad constructions. It isto be observed, however, that all of such pad constructions possess incommon the following characteristics:

(l) The provision of means for ventilating the pad.

(2) The stabilizing and reinforcing of the bottom portion of the pad andlikewise increasing its resiliency by providing it with resilient wirestrips or members.

.(3) The provision of a suitable means for anchoring or securing thecompressible top pad to the spring base.

(4) The provision of means incorporated in the pad and resilientlytransmitting loads from the pad to the spring portion of the cushion.

The compressible pad I! of the present inv tion may be formedin anydesired. conventional manner. In a preferred method the top fabric, ifused, and j the bottom reinforcing member. whether of the insulator padtype of construction or the reinforcing wire type of construction hereshown, are placed in the molds and the sponge rubber is secured theretoby vulcanization at the same' time that the pad is cured in the molds.Such a method lends itself readily to large scale commercial productionof such units and assures a uniform uniting of the compressible materialof the pad 30 with the reinforcing material which is incorporatedtherein. It is to be understood that all oi the compressible pads 3|shown herein are intended to be united with a suitable spring cushion,such for example as that shown in Fig. 2, or that shown in Fig. 8, andthat the present invention contemplates that the pads be so uti- As willbe seen from a consideration of the construction shown in Fig. 2,the'section of such a cushion when completed and upholstered is similarto that of a spring bellows. As the am es are compressed due'to loadsimposed thereon, air is forced out of the cushion through the cells 38and ducts a and provides aventilationof the top surface of the pad 30.When the loadis lessened the springs tend to expand and in soexpanding-draw air inwardly through the open bottom of the cushion.

While I have here disclosed a cushion construction which is of thenon-reversible type in that the pad it is provided on one surface onlyof the cushion. it is to beunderstood that the is provided with aplurality of air cells and ducts communicating between said cells andthe top surface of said pad, means for stabilizing the bottom portion ofsaid pad andincreasing the resiliency thereof, said means comprisingresilient therein that said airobstructed thereby.

3. In a seat cushion structure including a spring base member, acompressible rubber pad adapted to be secured thereto. in which said padis provided with a plurality of air cells and ducts communicatingbetween said cells and the top surface of said pad, and a covering forsaid pad comprising a loosely woven fabric material secured to said padand extending over the top surface thereof; means for: stabilizing thebottom portion of said pad and increasing the resillency thereof,saidmeans comprising resilient wire strips molded in said-pad adjacentthe bottom thereof and having their end portions con nectedto a marginalframe member, means for securing said marginal frame member to the topportion of said spring base member, said resilient wire strips beingcompletely embedded in said pad and so formed and placed therein thatsaid air cells and ducts are unobstructed thereby.

4. In a seat cushion structure including a spring baselmember, acompressible rubber. pad

adapted to be secured thereto, in which said pad is provided with aplurality of air cells ahd ducts communicating between said cells andthe top surfaceof said pad, and a covering for said pad comprising aloosely woven fabric material secured to said pad and extending over thetop surface thereof; means for stabilizing the bottom portion of saidpad and'increasing the resiliency thereof, said means comprisingresilient wire strips molded in said pad adjacent the bottom thereof andhaving their end portions connected to a marginal framemember, means forsecuring said marginal frame member to the top portion of said springbase member, said resilient wire strips extending both transversely wirestrips molded in said pa'd adjacent the bot tom thereof and having theirendportions con- I nected to a marginal frame member, and means forsecuring said marginal frame member to the top portion of said springbase member.

2. In a seat cushion structure including a spring base member and acompressible rubber pad adapted to be secured thereto. in which isprovided with a plurality'of air cells'and ducts communicating betweensaid cells and the top surface of said pad, means for stabilizing the Ibottom portion of said pad and increasing-the resiliency thereof. saidmeans comprisingvresilient wire strips molded in said pad adjacenttheand laterally of the said cushion and having their ends secured to ayieldable marginal frame.

said wire strips and said frame being completely embedded in said padand so formed and placed therein that said air and ducts areunobstructed thereby.. a

'5. In a seat cushion structure including a spring base member, acompressible rubber pad adapted to be s cured thereto, in which said Dadis provided with a plurality of air cells and ducts communicatingbetween said cells and the top surface of said pad, and a covering forsaid comprising a {loosely woven fabric material secured to said pad andextending. over the top surface thereof; means for stabilizing thebottom portion of said pad and increasing the resiliency thereof, said'means comprising-resilient wire strips moldcdin said pad adjacent thebottom thereofand having their end portions connected to amarginal framemember comprising a coiled bottom thereof and having theirend'po'rtionsfl connected to a marginal frame member, .and means forsecuring said marginal frame member to the top portion ofsaid springbase member, said resilient wire strips being completely embedded insaid pad and so formed and placed spring'member having its endsconnected to form an endless yieldable frame, means for securing saidmar inal frame member to the top p rtion of'saidspring base member, saidresilient wire strips being completely-embedded in said pad and soformedand placed therein that said air ,cells and ducts are unobstructedthereby..

LEONARD A. YOUNG.

cells and ductsare un-

